Top Drawer is made up of a beautifully diverse collection of talented individuals with roots that span across the globe. As a result, many of us know and understand what it’s like to relocate and rebuild after leaving behind everything we’ve ever known.

For that and many other reasons, we’re big supporters of helping our new neighbours from Syria find refuge within our communities!

Each year around the holidays, we like to select and throw some love toward a cause we’re passionate about. This year, we selected the East West Refugee Collective—a privately sponsored grassroots effort to resettle a refugee family right here in the GTA.

We’re thrilled to say we’ve donated $8,000 to this wonderful cause, which we recently learned will enable East West to help settle a second family as well!

Half of the money was donated to this cause by our staff through a silent auction we held during our Christmas party, and the other half by Top Drawer on behalf of our clients. Rather than sending baskets of cookies, chocolate or other holiday treats to our clients in appreciation of a good year, we felt it would be a lot more fun to give them a gift with a bit more heart and soul.

Another option is Lifeline Syria—an organization recruiting, training and assisting sponsorship groups as they welcome refugees to the GTA. You can visit its website to find a sponsorship group in your area or to donate.

Finally, you can also donate to the Canadian Red Cross in support of Syrian refugees arriving in Canada, as well as those still abroad. The government of Canada will be matching every eligible dollar until February 29, 2016.

On behalf of all of us at Top Drawer, we’d like to extend a warm welcome to our new neighbours. We wish you peace, health and happiness, and all the best in your new homes!